Process for breaking petroleum emulsions



Patented July 18, 1944 PROCESS FOR BREAKING PETROLEUM EMULSIONS Melvin De Groote, University City, and Bernhard Keiser, Webster Groves, Mo., assignors to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd, Wilmington, Del., a

corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application June 15, 1942, Serial No. 447,161

8 Claims.

This invention relates primarily. to the resolution of petroleum emulsions.

The main object of our invention is to provide a novel process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, that are commonly referred to as cut oil, roily oil, emulsified oil, etc., and which comprise fine droplets of naturally-occurring waters or brines dispersed in a more or less permanent state throughout the oil which constitutes the continuous phase of the emulsion. I

Another object is to provide an economical and rapid process for separating emulsions which have been prepared under controlled conditions from mineral oil, such as crude petroleum and relatively soft waters or weak brines. Controlled eniulsiflcation and subsequent demulsification under the conditions just mentioned is of significant value in removing impurities, particularly inorganic salts, from pipeline oil.

We have discovered that if one oxyalkylates glycerc so as to introduce at least three o yalkylene radicals for each hydroxyl group, and if the product so obtained is reacted with a polybasic carboxy acid having not over eight carbon atoms, and in such a manner as to yield a fractional ester, due to the presence of at least one free carboxyl radical, one can then esterify said acidic material or intermediate product with at least one mole of an alcoholic compound of the type herein-described to give a variety of new compositions of matter which are efficient demulsifiers for crude oil emulsions.

The compounds herein described that are used as the demulsifier of our process, may be produced in any suitable manner, but are usually manufactured by following one of two general procedures. In one of said procedures the oxyalkylated glycerol, which, is, in essence, a polyhydric alcohol, is reacted with a polybasic acid so as to give an acidic material or intermediate product, which, in turn, is reacted with an alcoholic body of the kind hereinafter described, and momentarily indicated by the formula R1(OH)1n. Genetically, the alcoholic body herein contemplated may be considered a member of theclass in which 111, may vary from 1 to'1'0, although the specific significance of m inthe present instance will be hereinafter indicated. The second procedure is to react an alcohol of the formula type EACH)".

with a polybasic acid so as to produce an intermediate product, and then react said intermediate product or fractional ester with the selected oxyalkylated glycerol.

Glycerol may be conveniently indicated by the following formula:

on C3H503oH If treated with an oxyalkylating agent, and momentarily consideration will be limited to an oxyethylating agent, one may obtain an nxyethylated glycerol of the following formula type:

in which the value ofn' may vary from 3 to 10 and all the values of n need not be identical. If a polybasic carboxy acid be indicated by the formula:

coon

R-COOH COOH in which n" has the value of one or two. Similarly, if two moles of the polybasic acid be used, then the compound may be indicated by the following formula:

Likewise, if three. moles of a polybasi acid are,

2' employed, the compound may be indicated by the following formula:

' I (oiu'iowooomooomw onnoi-(omio .-oooa(coon).-

(oimon-oocawoomw If a fractional ester of the kind exemplified by the three preceding formulas is reacted with one or more moles of an alcohol of the kind previously described in a generic sense as R1(OH)m, then obviously, one may obtain a material of the typeindicated by the following formula:

l( sH40)a'00C (C )-"l= 2or3,and:c'is0or Landy' is 1or2.

It'has been previously stated that compounds (ougnowooo-a of the type herein contemplated may be obtained radical, or by an organic group derived from an alcohol, such as an aliphatic alcohol an aralkyl alcohol, or an alicyclic alcohol. It may also be converted into an amide, including a polyamino amide. Thus,'the preceding formula may be rewritten in its broader scope, as follows:

(cmi.o .'ooon L (000mm in which n replaces the numbers 2, 3 or 4,2 includes the acidic hydrogen atom itself. 'In the above formula and hereafter, for convenience, R1

water in such a manner as to trap outthe water and return the liquid to the reacting vessel. This procedure is commonly employed in the arts, and for convenience, reference is made to U. S. Patent No. 2,264,759, dated December 2, 1941, to Paul C. Jones.

Referring again to the last two form/ 1119.8 indicating the compounds under consideration, it can be readily understood that such compounda in numerous instances, have the property of polyfunctionality. In view of this fact, where there is at least one residual carboxyl and at least one residual hydroxyl, one would expect that under suitable conditions, instead of obtaining the monomeric compounds indicated, one would, in reality, obtain a polymer in the sense, forexample, that polyethylene glycols represent a polymer of ethylene glycol. The term polymer is frequently used to indicate the polymerized product derived from a monomer in which the polymer has the same identical composition as the monomer. In the present instance, however, polymerization involves the splitting and loss of water so that the process is essentially self-esterification. Thus, strictly speaking, the polymeric compounds are not absolutely isomers of the monomeric compounds, but since, for all practical purposes, they can be so indicated, and since such practice is common in the arts concerned with materials of this type, it is so adopted here. Thus, reference in the appended claims to polymers is intended to include the self-esterification .products of the monomeric compounds.

In view of what has been said, and in view of the recognized hydrophile properties of the recurring oxyalkylene linkages, particularly the oxyethylene linkage, it is apparent that the materials herein contemplated may vary from compounds which are clearly water-soluble through self-emulsifying oils, to materials which are balsam-like and sub-resinous or semi-resinous in nature. The compounds may vary from monois' intended to include any hydroxyl group that remains, and 9.11 the other characters have the same significance, as in the prior formula immediately preceding.

If the compounds herein contemplated are obtained under usual conditions, at the lowest temperatures, then the monomeric form is most likely to result.

The production of the compounds herein contemplated is the result of one or more esterification steps. .As is well known, esteriflcation procedures can be carried out in various manners, but generally speaking, esterlflcations can be'carried out at the lowest feasible temperatures by using one or several procedures. One procedure is to passan inert dried gas through the mass to be ester-ified, and have present at the same time a small amount of a catalyst, such as dried HCl gas, a dried sulfonic acid, or the like. An.-.

other and better procedure, in many instances, is to employ the vapors of a suitable liquid, so as to remove any water formed and condense both the vapors of the liguid-employedand the mars to polymers, in which the unitary struc-' ture appears a number of times, for instance, 10 or 12' times. It is to be noted that true resins, i. e., truly insoluble materials of a hard plastic nature. are not herein included. In other words, the polymerized compounds are soluble .to a fairly deflnite extent, for instance, at least 5% insome solvents, such as water, alcohol, benzene, dichloroethyl ether, acetone, cresylic' acid, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, dioxane, or the like. This is simply another way of stating that the polymerized product contemplated must be of the subresinous type. which is commonly referred to as an A resin, or a B resin, as distinguished from a C resin,

. which is a highly infusible, insoluble resin (see Ellis, Chemistry of Synthetic Resins (1935), pages 862, et seq.)

Reviewing the form as presented, it is obvious scope disclosed, which contain neither a free,

hydroxyl nor a free carboxyl group, and one may also .obtain a compound of the type in which there is present at least one free carboxyl, or at least, one free hydroxyl, or both. The word polar? has sometimes been used in the arts in this particular sense to indicate the presence of at least one free hydroxyl free carboxyl group, or both. In the case of the free carboxyl group, the carboxyllc hydrogen atoinmay, of course, be replaced by any ionizable hydrogen atom equivalent, such, for example, as a metal, an ammonium radical, a substituted ammonium radical, etc. In the hereto appended group, or at least, one

' lation and then employed in the same manner as oxyalkylated glycerol, is employed in the present instance, are not contemplated in this specific case, although attention is directed to the same.

Reference is also made to other oxyalkylated compounds which may be used as reactants to replace oxyalkylated glycerol, or oxyalkylated ethylene glycol, which latter reactant is described in a co-pending application hereinafter referred to. The reactants thus contemplated include the type in which there is an amino or amido nitrogen atom, particularly, when present in .a low molal type of compound prior to oxyalkylation, reference being made to polyhydroxylated materials, including those having two or three hydroxyl groups, as well as those having more than thre hydroxyl groups. For instance, the -oxyalkylated derivatives, particularly the oxyethylated derivatives of ethyldiethanolamine, bis(hydroxyethyl) acetamide, the acetamide of tris(hydroxymethyDaminomethane, tetrahydroxylated ethylene diamine, etc. Compounds may also be derived from cyclic diglycerol and the like.-

Furthermore, for convenience, attention is directed to a somewhat similar class of materials which are described in our co-pending application Serial No. 401,377, filed July 7, 1941. Said co-pending application involves the use of the same type of alcoholic bodies for reactants, but is limited, among other things, to the compounds which are essentially symmetrical in nature, for instance, involving the introduction of two alcoholic residues, whereas, in the present instance, one, two, or three, or more might be introduced.

As indicated previously, the polybasic acids employed are limited to the type having not more than eight carbon atoms, for example, oxalic,

malonic, succinic,.glutaric, adipic, maleic, and phthalic. Similarly, one may employ acids such as fumaric, glutaconic, and various others, such as citric, malic, tartaric, and the like. The selection of the particular tribasic or dibasic acid employed is usually concerned largely with'the convenience of manufacture of the finished ester, and also the price of the reactants. Generally speakin phthalic acid or anhydride tends to produce resinous materials, and greater care must be employed if the ultimate or final product be of a"sub-resin ous 'type. Specifically, the preferred type of polybasi-c acid is such as to contain six carbon atoms or less. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature employed, the easier it is to obtain large yields of esterified product, although polymerization may be stimulated. Oxalic acid may be'comparatively cheap, but it decomposes readily at slightly above the boiling point of water. For this reason it is more desirable to use an acid which is more resistant to pyrolysis. Similarly, when a polybasic acid is available in the form of an anhydride, such anhydride is apt to produce the ester with greater ":5

case than the acid itself. For this reason, maleic anhydride is particularly adaptable, and also, everything else considered, the cost is comparatively low on a per molar basis, even though somewhat higher on a per pound basis. Succinic acid or the anhydride has many attractive qualities of maleic anhydride, and this is also true of adipic acid. For purposes of brevity, the ,bulk of the examples, hereinafter illustrated, will refer to the use of. maleic anhydride, although it is understood that any other suitable polybasic acid may be employed. Furthermore, reference is made to derivatives obtained by oxyethylation, although, as previously pointed out, other oxyalkylating agents may be employed.

As far as the range of oxyethylated glycerols employed as reactants is concerned, it is our preference to employ those in which approximately 15 to 24 oxyethylene groups have been introduced into a single glycerol molecule. I'his means that approximately five to eight oxyethylene radicals have been introduced for each original hydroxyl- OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL Example 1 184 pounds of glycerol is mixed with /z%, by

weight, of caustic soda solution having a specific gravity of 1.383. The caustic soda acts as a catalyst. The ethylene oxide is added in relatively small amounts, for instance, about 44 pounds at a time. The temperature employed is from C. Generally speaking, the gauge pressure during the operation approximates 200 pounds at the maximum, and when reaction is complete, drops to' zero, due to complete absorption of the ethylene oxide. When all the ethylene oxide has been absorbed and the reactants, cooled, a second small portion, for instance, 44 'more pounds of ethylene oxide, are added and the procedure repeated until the desired ratio of 15 pound moles of ethylene oxide to one pound mole of glycerol is obtained. This represents 660 pounds of ethylene oxide for 92 pounds of glycerol.

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL Example 2 The ratio of ethylene oxide is increased to 18 pound moles for each pound mole of glycerol. Otherwise, the same procedure is followed as in Example 1, preceding.

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in the two previous examples, except that the ratio of ethylene oxide to glycerol is increased to 21 to one.

OXYETHYLATED' GLYCEROL MALEATE Example 1 One pound mole of oxyethylated glycerol (1 to 15 ratio) prepared in the manner previously described is treated with one pound mole of maleic anhydride and heated at approximately 110 C. for approximately thirty minutes to two hours, with constant stirring, so as to yield a monomaleate.

' numeral Omransm Gtrclaor. Mann's Example 2 The same procedure is followed as in the pre-- ceding example, except thattwo moles of maleic anhydrlde are employed so as to obtain the dimaleate instead of the monomaleate.

OxYErmArsn'GnYcsROL'MAnA'i-I:

Example The same procedure is followed as in the two preceding examples, except that three moles of maleic anhydride are employed so as to obtain the trimaleate.

Oxrarnmran GLYCEROL MALIATI: Example 4 Oxrarn'mrsn GLYCEROL Manes-r:

Example 5 The same procedure is employed as in the preceding examples, except that oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to 211) is employed instead of oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to or (1 to 18).

Previous reference has been madeto an alcoholic body which has been defined generically by the formula R1(OH)m. The sub-generic class of alcoholic compounds employed as reactants in the manufacture of the presentcompounds, are hydroxylated acylated monoamino bodies free from ether linkages and of the following formula type:

(R.CO0.C-H:n)-

' N(T) ll" in which R.CO0 represents the oxy-acyl radical derived from a monobasic detergent-forming ,ac'id; T represents a hydrogen atom or a nonhydroxy hydrocarbon radical, or the acylated radical obtained by replacing a hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of an alkylol radical by the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than eight carbon atoms; 1: represents a small whole'number which is less than 10; m

. represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; m represents the numeral 0, 1 or 2; and m" represents the 1 or 2,- with the proviso that m+m'+m '3 aassgos therefor, then the formulas above described my be' summarized by the following formula:

11.0 0 0 can) N(T) a" (011mm) w However, the radical CiH4, which appears in 'the above formula, may represent any similar radical, such as a CsHc radipal, a C4Hs radical. etc., and therefore, the above formula may be indicated as follows:

Rhodesia) N(T)." (OH.C H2,

in which R.C0O represents the oxy-acyl radical derived from a monobaslc detergent-forming acid; T represents a hydrogen atom or a nonhydroxy aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, such as One can obtain or manufacture chemical compounds whose composition is lowing formulas:

indicated by the m1- acoocmmr),

If, in *the above formulas, T represents amino hydrogen atom, as well as a substituent myristic acid, etc.

a methyl radical, ethyl radical, propyl radical, amyl radical, octadecyl radical, etc. However,

'1 may also represent a non hydroxy alicyclic.

radical, such as a cyclohexyl radical, or a nonhydroxy aralkyl radical, such as a benzyl radi-. cal; or T may represent the acylated radical obtained'by replacing a hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of an alkylol radical, or the equivalent thereof, bythe acyl radical of amonobasic carboxyacid, such as acetic acid, butyric acid,

heptoic acid, or the like, all of which are char-' acterized by having less than eight carbon atoms. The alkylol radical prior to acylation, may be a hydroxy alicyclic or a hydroxy aralkyl radical,

provided the hydroxy radicalisattached to the aliphatic residue of the aralkyl radical.

In the above formula, as has been pointed out. R.CO0' represents the oxy-acyl or acid radical derived from the acid R.COOH. .R.CO0H. represents any monobasic detergent-forming carboxy acid,such as a typical fatty acid or abietic acid or naphthenic acid.

- Typical fatty acids are those which occur in naturally-occurring oils and fats, and generally have eight or more carbon atoms and not over 32 carbon atoms. Common examples include oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid erucic acid, palmitic acid, These acids combine with alkali to produce sbap or'soap-like materials, and are commonly referred to as being monobasic detergent-forming carboxy acids. 1

The alkylol radical, previously referred to, prior to esterification, may be. a hydroxy alicyclic or a hydroxy aralkyl radical, provided the hydroxy radical is attached to the aliphatic recidue, of the aralkyl radical.

As to the amines-above described, which hap- .pen. to be tertiary amines, it may be well to point out that these may be formed readily by a reaction involving an ester of the selected detergent-forming acid, for instance, a fatty acid ester. such as the glyceride,\and a corresponding amine. This may be illustrated in the following manner:

If triethanolamine, employed in the above formula, is replaced by ethyl diethanolamine, then one would obtain one of the remaining types of tertiary amines illustrated. Reference is made to Patent No. 2,167,349, dated July 25, 1939, to De Groote, Keiser and Blair.

R.COO

R.COO

In the remaining type of material there is an amino hydrogen atom present. The manufacture of such material may be illustrated by the following reactions:

R.COOH+OHC2H4OH R.COO.CzH4OH aoo'ocznlorwnci R.GOO.C2H4C1 R.CO.C1+OHCzH4OH R.COO.C:H4OH R.COO.C1H4OH+HC1 ncoocinlci R.COOH+OHCH4CI R.COO.C1HC1 R.COOR+OHCzH4Cl 11.000.0211401 it.CO.Cl+OHCzH4Cl R.COO.CH4C1 R.COO.C2H4C1+NH3 R.COO.C2H4.NH2

acoocmmnfioczm 11.000021?! OHCIHI However, if maximum yields are not necessary, one need not resort to reactions of the kind previously described to produce secondary amines, but one may employ the following type of reaction:

diethanolbenzyl, 'dipropanolamine, tripentanolamine,'trihexanolamine, hexyl ethanolamine, oc-

tadecyldiethanoiamine, etc.

Reference is again made to the formula which summarizes the various hydroxylated amines used as intermediate raw materials, viz.:

(n-ooo-cnrn-o-i on-mm." in which the characteristics have their previous significance. Attention is directed to the factv that where the substituted alkyl radical OH.R.CQQ.CH

' appears, a suitable non-aryl radical other than an aliphatic residue may serve as the functional equivalent; for instance, an alicyclic radical derived from a cyclohexyl radical, oran aralkyl radical derived from a benzyl radical. In other words, in the hereto appended claims references to the CnH'an radical, as such, or as an allq l radical or residue, is intended in the broad sense to include the alicyclic radical or residues, or the aralkyl radicals or residues which are the equivalent thereof. There is no intention to include an aromatic radi cal where'there is a direct linkage between thearomatic nucleus and the amino hydrogen atom, for the reason that such products have little or no basicity and do not have the characteristic properties of the amines previously described. 4

In indicating the various 'hydroxylated tertiary amines of the non-aryltype, which may be employed to produce the amine contemplated as the demulsifying agent of the present process, it is desirable to mention that amines of the type where a hydroxy acyl radical replaces a hydrogen atom of thehydroxyl radical of the hydroxy tertiary amine, are not. included within the broad class of hydroxy tertiary amines, un-

less there is another hydroxyl radical attached to the usual alkyl radical. For instance, if ethyl diethanolan'iine. is treated with two moles of lactic acid so as to form the dilactyl compound of the following formula:

. CHICHC OClHI on o then it is understood that such materials would not represent "a hydroxy tertiary amine within the meaning or scope, as herein employed. If, on the other hand, triethanolamine were treated with lactic acid, so as to give monolactyl triethanolamine of the following composition:

on o g cmcnc o-cin onclm-N onclm radical replaces a hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl radical .of a hydroxy primary or secondary amine,

I are not included within the broadclass of hydroxy tertiary amines, unless there is another hydroxyl radical attached to the usual alkyl radical. For instance," if ethanolamine is treated with lactic acid so as to form the lactyl derivative of the following formula:'

OH O

a CHICK 0-0-91H4NHH then it is understood thatsuch materials would not represent a hydroxy primary amine within the meaning or scope, as herein employed. The same would be true if the corresponding product were derived from diethanolamine, rovided both hydroxy radicals had been esterified, with lactic acid.

The manufacture of compounds from tertiary amines is relativelyrsimple, because no precautions are necessary to prevent amidification. The selected detergent-forming acid, or ester, as, for example, a'fatty oil and the selected hydroxy tertiary amine, are mixed in suitable proportions and heated at some point above the boiling point of water, for instance, 110 C., and at a point below the decomposition point of the amine or the fatty oil, for instance, 180? C., for asuitable period of time, such as two to eight hours. Mild agitation is employed. A catalyst, such assodium oleate, sodium carbonate, caustic soda, etc., may be present in amounts of aboutone-halfof 1%, or less. It is noted that the fatty acids areemployed in this instance, in the form of an ester, to wit, the glyceride, although, as previously pointed out, other functional equivalents ,can be readily employed with equal facility. It is to be noted that the reactions above described do not take lace to anyappreciable extent if the fatty acid has been converted in the soap or salt. Such salts are not functional equivalents. As previously indicated, an ester of abietic acid or' naphthenic acid might be employed, if desired.

When; however, one is employing a hydroxy secondary amine, precautions must be taken, so

that one gets a substantialpercentage of products derived by esterlfication, rather than amidiilcation. Any suitable ester may be employed, but it is often most convenient to employ the glyceride of a fatty acid, for instance, tri-- ricinolein. The selected glyceride and the selected hydroxy secondary amine are mixed in suitable, proportions and heated at some point above the boiling point of water,-for instance, C., and below the decbmposition pointof the amine or fatty material, for instance, C for a suitable period of time,

such as 4-24 hours.

Mild agitation is employed. A catalyst, such as sodium oleate, sodium carbonate, caustic soda, etc., may be present in amounts of about or less. It is to be noted that the fatty acids are present in ester form and not in the form of the free acid, and thus there is, no tendency to form the salt to any marked extent: and if conducted at the lower range of reaction temperatures, there is a decided tendency to form the esteriflcation products, rather than the amidiflcatioln" products. i

Amide-type compounds can be converted into the ester type in the mannerdescrl bed in'U. S. Patent No. 2,15 1,788, dated March 28, 1939; to Mauersberger. Similarly, amidesin which there;- is an amino hydrogen atom attached to the amino nitrogen atom can be treated with an ioxyalkylating agent such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, glylcidol, or the like, so as to introduce a hydroxy hydrocarbon radical. In the event that no hydroxy hydrocarbon radical is available for reaction then the acyl radical present must contain a' hydroxyl radical. In other words, one must employ ricinoleic acid, hydroxystearic acid, or some similar equivalent.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 1 One pound mole of a product of the kind described under the heading "oxyethylated glycerol maleate, Example 1,; is reacted with one pound mole of an ester obtained by reacting triethanolamine with ricinoleic acid. Such reaction may lbe conducted in the presence of an inert vaporizing solvent. However, if an inert vaporizingsolvent is employed, it is generally necessary to use one which has a higher boiling range than xylene, and sometimes removal of such solvent might present a difficulty. In other instances, however, such high boiling inert vaporizing solvent, if employed, might be permitted to remain in the reacted mass and appear as a constituent-or ingredient of the final product. In

- any event, ourpreference is to conduct the reac- Example 2 The same procedure is followed as in Completed monomeric derivative, Example 1, preceding, except that the dimaleate described under the heading. oxyethylated glycerol maleate,

Example 2 is used instead of the monomaleate.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in the two preceding examples, except that the trimaleate' is substituted for-the monomaleate or dimaleate in the two preceding examples.

COMPLETED MoNoM R c DERIVATIVE Example The same procedure is followed as in Examples 2 and 3, immediately preceding, except that for each pound mole of the dimaleate, or each pound mole of the trimaleate, instead of using one pound mole of monoricinoleic acid ester of triethanolamine, one employs two .pound moles.

COMPLETED MoNoivIEruc DERIVATIVE Example 5 The same procedure is followed as in Example 3, preceding, except that foreach pound mole of trimaleate, instead of adding one pound mole of monoricinoleic acid ester of triethanolamine, one i adds three pound moles of monoricinoleic acid ester of triethanolamine for reaction.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERI ATIVE I Example 6 Reference to the preceding examples will show that in each and every instance oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to has been employed as a to 18. (See Oxyethylated glycerol maleate, Example 4, preceding.)

COMPLETED MoNoMERIc DERIVATIVE Example 7 COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 8 The ricinoleic acid ester of ethyldiethanolamine is substituted forthe ricinoleic acid ester raw material or primaryreactant. In the present instances, more highly oxyethylated glycerol is employed, to wit, one involving the ratio of 1 of triethanolamine in the preceding examples.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 9 Themonori'cinoleic acid ester of tripropanolamine is substituted for the ricinoleic acid ester of triethanolamine in Examples 1 to 7, preceding.

The method of producing such fractional 'esters is well known. The general procedure is to employ a temperature above the boiling point of water and below the pyrolytic point of the reactants. The products are mixed and stirred constantly during the heating and esterification step. If desired, an inert gas, such as dried nitrogen or dried carbon dioxide, may be passed through the mixture. Sometimes it is desirable to add an esterification catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, benzenesulfonic acid, or the like. This is the same general procedure as employed in the manufacture of ethylene glycol dihydrogen diphthalate. (See U. 8. Patent No. 2,075,107, dated March 30, 1937, to Frasier.)

Sometimes esterification is conducted most readily in the presence of an inert solvent, that carries away the water of esterification which may be formed. although as is readily appreciated, such water of esterification is absent when such type of reaction involves an acid anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, and a glycol. However, if wateris formed, for instance, when citric acid is employed, then a solvent such as xylene may be present and employed to carryofi the water formed. The mixture of xylene vapors and water vapors can be condensed so that the water is separated. The xylene is then returned to the reaction vessel forfurther circulation. This is a conventional and well-known procedure and requires no further elaboration.

In the previous monomeric examples there is a definite tendency, in spite of precautions, at least in a number of instances, to obtain polymeric materials and certain cogeneric by-products. This is typical, of course, of organic reactions of thiskind, and as is well known, organic reactions per se are characterized by the fact that yields are the exception, rather than the rule, and that significant yields are satisfactory, especially in those instances where the by-products or cogeners may satisfactorily serve with the same purpose as the principal or intentional product. This is true in the present instance. In many cases when the compound is manufactured for purposes of demulsification, one is better off to obtain a polymer in the sense previously described, particularly a polymer whose molecular weight is a rather small multipleof the molecular weight of the monomer. For instance, a polyquent reaction. This, of course, can be done in any simple manner by conversion to sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or any-suitable procedure.

In the preceding examples of the Completed monomeric derivative, Examples 1 to 10, inclusive, no reference is made to the elimination of such alkaline catalyst, in view of the effectiveness of the low multiple polymers as demulsiflers. Previous reference has been made to the fact that the carboxylic hydrogen atom might be variously replaced by substituents, including organic radicals, for instance, the radicals obtained from a1- .cohols, hydroxylated amines, non-hydroxylated amines, polyhydric alcohols, etc. Obviously, the reverse is also true, in that a free hydroxylgroup may be esterified with a selected acid, varying from such materials as ricinoleic acid to oleic acid, including alcohol acids, such as hydroxyacetic acid, lactic acid, ricinoleic acidand also polybasic acids of the kind herein contemplated.

With the above facts in mind, it becomes obvious that what has been previously said as to polymerization, with the suggestion that by-products orcogeneric materials were formed, may be recapitulated with greater definiteness, and one can readily appreciate that the formation of heatrearranged derivatives or compounds musttake place'to a greater or lesser degree. Thus, the products herein qontemplatedmay be characterized by being monomer-sot the type previously described, or esteriflcation polymers, or the heatrearranged derivatives of the same, and thus inciuding the heat-rearranged derivatives of both the polymers and esteriflcation monomers, sep 'arately and Jointly. Although the class of materials specifically contemplated in this instance is a comparatively small and narrow class of a broad genus, yet it isobviously impossible to present any adequate formula which would contem plate the present series in their complete ramification, except in a manner employed in the here- ;to appended claims.

Although the products herein described vary so broadly in their characteristics, 1. e., monomers through sub-resinous polymers, soluble products, water-emulsiflable oils or compounds, hy-' drotropic materials, balsams, sub-resinous materials, semi -resinous materials, and the like, yet there is always present the characteris-v tic unitary hydrophile structure related back to oxyalkylation, particularly the oxyethylation of the glycerol used as the raw material. When employed as a demulsifler in the resolution of oil field emulsions, they may be added to the emulsion at the ratio of l partin 10,000, 1'

part in 20,000, 1 part in 30,000, or for that matter, 1 part in 40,000." In such ratios it well .may be that one cannot difierentiate between the solubility of a compound completely soluble in water in any ratio, and a semi-resinous product apusurp, preempt, or replace the interfacial posi-- tion previously occupied perhaps by the emulsfying colloid. In any event, reviewed in this light,

- Comrnnran Potguiuc DsRIvA'rIvns Incummc the obvious common property running through the entire series, notwithstanding variation in molecular size and physical make-up, is absolutely apparent. Such statement is an obvious oversimplification of the rationale underlying demulsificatiom'and does not even consider the resistance of an interracial film to crumbling, displacement, being forced into soliition, altered wet-' ability and the-like. As to amidiflcation polymers, for instance, where Z is a polyamino amide radical, see what is said subsequently.

Connemara!) POLmRIC Driuvli'rrvas Inownnvc HEAT-REARRANGID Cocmns Ez ample .1

A polyfunctional ,monomer of the kind d e-- scribed previously, for instance, the one obtained by reacting-polyethylated glycerol dimaleate with the monoricinoleic acid ester of triethanolamine is heated at a temperature of approximately 220-240 0., with,constant stirring for a period of 2-60 hours, so as to eliminate suflicient water in order to insure that the resultant product has a molecular weight, approximately twice that of the monomer.

Comrnsran Ponnnnrc Danrvu'rvas Iucmnmc.

Han-assumes!) Cocmmms Example 2 The same procedure is followed as in the preceding example, except that polymerization is, continued, using either a somewhat longer reaction time, or it may be. a somewhat higher temperature, or both, so as to obtain a material having a molecular weight of approximately three to four times that of the initial product.

COMPLETED Ponmgluc DERIVATIVES INcLUnnvc HEAT-REARRANGED Cocrrmis Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in Examples 1 and 2, preceding, except that one employs reactants derived from tripropanolamine instead of triethanolamine.

Completed monomeric derivative, Example 3, .and

in Completed monomeric derivative, Example 4, are mixed in molecular proportion and subjected to polymerization in the manner indicated in the previous examples. 7

It is understood, of course, that the polymerized product need not be obtained as a result of a two-step procedure. In other words, one need not convert the reactants into the monomer and then subsequently convert the monomer into the poly-1 mer. The reactants may be converted through. the monomer to the polymer in one step. Indeed; the formation of the'monomer and polymerization may take place simultaneously. This is especially true if polymerization is conducted in the absence of a liquid such as xylene, as previously described, and ifone uses a comparatively higher temperature, for instance, approximately 200 C. for polymerization. Thus, one pound mole of an oxyethylated glycerol polymaleate of the kind pre-- viously described is mixed 1 with one pound mole of the monoricinoleic acid .ester of triethanob amine, and such mixture reacted for twenty hours at approximately 200 until the reaction mass is homogeneous. It is stirred constantly during reaction. Polyfunctio'nality may reside in dehydration (etherization) of two hydroxyl groups attached to dissimilar molecules.

The fact-that the polymerized and heat-rearranged products can be made in a single step, illustrates a phenomenon which sometimes occurs either in such instances where alcoholic bodies of the kind herein illustrated are contemplated as reactants, or where somewhat kindred alcoholic bodies are employed. The reactants may be mixed mechanically to give a homogeneous mixture, or if the reactants do not mix to give a homogeneous mixture, the nearly in the reaction stage there is formed, to a greater or lesser degree, suificient monomeric materials so that a homogeneous system is present. Subsequently, as reaction continues, the system may become heterogeneous and exist in two distinct phases, one being possibly an oily body of moderate viscosity, and the other being a heavier material, which is sticky or subresinous in nature. In many instances it will be found that the thinner liquid material is a monomer and the more viscous or resinous material is a polymer, as previously described. Such product can be used for demulsification by adding a solvent which will mutually dissolve the two materials, or lse, by separating the two heterogeneous phases and employing each as if it were a separate product of reaction.

Conventional demulsifying agents employed in the treatment of oil field emulsions are used as such, or after dilution with any suitable solvent, such as water; petroleum hydrocarbons such as gasoline, kerosene, stove oil, a coal tar product such as benzene, toluene, xylene, tar acid oil, cresol, anthracene oil, etc. Alcohols, particularly aliphatic alcohols, such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, propyl acohol, butyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, etc., may be employed as diluents. Miscellaneous solvents, such as pine oil, carbon tetrachloride, sulfur dioxide extract obtained in the refining of petroleum, etc., maybe employed as diluents. Similarly, the material or materials herein described, maybe admixed with one or more of the solvents customarily used in connection with conventional demulsifying agents, provided that such compounds are compatible. They will be compatible with the hydrophile type of solvent in all instances. Moreover, said material or materials may be used alone, or in admixture with other suitable well known classes of demulsifying agents.

It is well known that conventional .demulsifying agents may be used in a water-soluble form, or in an oil-soluble form, or in a form exhibiting both oil and water-solubility. Sometimes they may be used in a formwhich exhibits relatively limited oil-solubility. However, since such reagents are ometimes used in a 'ratio of l to 10,000,

or 1 to 20,000, or even 1 to 30,000, such an appar- I ent insolubility in oil and Water is not significant, because said reagents undoubtedly-have solubility within theconcentration employed. This same fact is true in regard to the material or materials herein described, except that they are invariably water-soluble.

We desire to point out that the superiority of the reagent or demulsifying agent used in our herein described process for breaking petroleum emulsions, is based upon its ability to treat certain emulsions more advantageously and at, a somewhat lower costthan is possible with other ing petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type,

a treating agent or demulsifying agent of the kind above described is brought into contact with 'or caused to act upon the emulsion to be treated,

in any of the various ways, or by any of the various apparatus now generally used to resolve or break petroleum emulsions with a chemical reagent, the above procedure being used either alone, or in combination with other demulsifying procedure, such as the electrical dehydration process.

The demulsifier herein contemplated may be employed in connection'with what is commonly known as down-the-hole procedure, i. e., bringing the demulsifier in contact with the fluids of the well at the bottom of the well, or at some point prior to their emergence. This particular type of application is decidedly feasible when the demulsifier is used in connection with acidification of calcareous oil-bearing strata, especially if suspended in or dissolved in the acid employed for acidification.

, Cognizance must be taken of the fact that the surface of the reacting vessel may increase or decrease reaction rate and degree of polymerization, for instance, an iron reaction vessel speeds up reaction and polymerization, compared with a glass-lined vessel.

As has been previously indicated, the, subgenus employed as an alcohol in the present instance is one of a series of alcoholic compounds which are contemplated in our co-pending applications Serial Nos. 447,151; 447,152; 447,153; 447,154; 447,155; 447,156; 447,157; 447,158; 447,- 159; 447,160; 447,162; 447,163; 447,164; 447,165;

447,166; 447,167; and 447,168, filed June 15, 1942.

It is to be noted that in such instances where the alcoholic body contains a reactive amino hydrogen atom, for instance, in the case where an acylated hydroxylated polyamine is employed, for example, the ricinoleyl acid ester of hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine, the oxyethylated glycerol maleate might react to form an amide of maleic acid. In such instances, of course, such type, to wit, the amido type, is contemplated within the scope of the appended claims in the particular instance, but elaboration is eliminated, because it is unnecessary and would only incur greater length of descriptive matter. Thus, stated in another way, in all appropriate instances, the expression esterification polymers in the appended claims, includes amidification polymers, as well as, esterification polymers.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and-desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier comprising a member of the class consisting of monomers, sub-resinous 'esterification polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heat-rearranged derivatives of the monomers and afore or the following formula:

, [(t'it mm owocmcoozyw]s in whichR is the carbonyl-free radical of a polyatoms; R1 represents a '(R'.00o.c.H

. ('l)..." radical (omogmnw of amonocarboxy detergent-forming acid having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms '1' represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms,'hydrocarbon' radicals, and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid havin less than 8 carbon atoms is a substituent of a hydroxy hy-v drogen atom of an alcohol radical; n represents asmall whole number which is less than m represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; m'-represents the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m" represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that m+m'+m"=3; Z is an acidic hydrogen atomequiv'alent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; n? represents the numerals 2 to 4; n represents the numerals 3 to 10;, n" represents the numerals 1 'to 2; 1: represents the numerals 0 to 2; :1; represents the numerals 0 to 2; z represents the numerals 1 to 3; and :r",represe nts the numerals 0 to 1, and 1!. represents the numerals 1 to 2.

2. A process for breaking petroleum emulsipns of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler comprising-a member of the class consisting of monomers, sub-resinous esterification polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heat-rearranged derivatives of v the monomersand aforementionedpolymers, separately and Jointly, and of the following formula:

" a l(c,. m.. -o)..'oocRcooz G SgBO' I" H,I )"E11 I (o.. H,.i' o).'oodacooal z in which R i acarboxyl-free radical of a dibasic carboxy acid having not over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a (R".C00.CnHln)a Mr)..." radical in which R'.COO represents the acyloxy radical of a monocarb'oxy detergent-forming acid'having at least 8 and not more than 32. carbon atoms; I

l, 2 or3, with the proviso that m+m'+ml'=3; Z is an acidic hydrogen atom equivalent includ-.

ing -the acidic hydrogen atom itself; 11'' represents the numerals 2. to \4; n represent the basic carboxy acid having not over 8 "carbon in which R'.CO0 represents the acyl oxy radical 2,353,704 mentioned polymers, separately and jointly, and

0 to 2; y represents the numerals 0. to 2; and 2 represents the numerals 1 to 3.

3. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of-the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler comprising a member of the class consisting of monomers, subresinous esterification polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heat-rearranged derivatives of the monomersband aforementioned polymers, separately and jointly, and of the following formula:

claim-[wanna v [(c.mo),.'oo one o 0R11- in which R is a carboxyl-free radical of a dibasic carboxy acid having not over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a (Racoomm)...

Mr)..." radical in which R'.CO O represents the acyloxy radical of a monocarboxy detergent-forming acid having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms T represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon r'adicals,'and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than 8 carbon atoms is'a substituent of a hydroxy hydrogen atom of an alcohol radical; m represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; m represents the numeral 0,- 1, 2 or 3; and m" represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that m-i-m'+m"=3;

Z is an acidic hydrogen atom equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; n represents the numerals 8 to 10 :2: represents the numerals 0 to 2; y represents the numerals 0 to-2; and z Y represents the numerals 1 to 3.

4. A process for breaking petroleum emulsion: of the water-in-oil type, characterized'by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler comprising a polar member of the class consisting oi mpnomers, sub-resinous esteriflcation polymers, and cogeneric subresinous heat-rearranged derivatives. of the monomers and aforementioned polymers, separately and jointly, and of the following formula:

[(C:H4O).'OOCRCOOZ],- clutch-ammonia [(0=m0),.'0o'cRoooR1]. in which R is a carboxyl-free radical of a dibasic carboxy acid having not over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a cal of a monocarboxy detergent-forming acid numerals a to 10;-La: represents the numerals II having at least 8 and notmore than 32 carbon atoms; '1 represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon radi-' cals, and acylated radicals in'which the acylradlcalbf a monobasic carboxy acid havingless than 8 carbon atoms is a substituent of a hydroxyhydrogen atom of an alcohol radical; m

represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; m represents \the numeral 0; 1, 2 or 3; and m" represents.

the numeral 1', 2 or 3, with the proviso that m+m'+m"=3; 'Zis' an acidic hydrogen atom equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; n represents the numerals 3 to- 10;-x

represents the numerals 0 to 2; 1!; represents the numerals to 2; and 2 represents the numerals l to 3.

5. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier comprising a polar acidic member of the class consisting of monomers, sub-resinous esterlilcation polymers, and cogeneric sub- ,reslnous heat-rearranged derivatives of the monomers and aforementioned polymers, separatelv and jointly, and of the following formula:

kcnnon'oocncoozl.

CEIOPKCQLOM'HL [(CsH-IO).'OOCRCOORI]| inwhich Bis a carboxyl-free radical ofa dibasic carboxy acid having not over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a (Rncoomm).

N(T)cu" M08] (OH.CIH4)II' in which R'.COO represents the acyloxy radical of a monocarboxy detergent-forming acid having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms; T represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon radicals, and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than 8 carbon atoms is a substituent of a hydroxy hydrogen atom of an alcohol radical; m represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; m represents the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m" represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that m+m'+m"=3;'z is an acidic hydrogen atom .equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; 11. represents the numerals 3 to 10; 3 represents the numerals 0 to 2; 1 represents the numerals '0 to 2; and z represents the 'numerals l to 3.

8. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type. characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier comprising a polar acidic member of the class consistingof monomers, sub-resinous esteriflcation polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heatrearranged derivatives of the monomers and aforementioned'polymers, separately and jointly, and of the following formula:

[(cimon-oocncooz in which R'.COO represents the acyioxy radical of a monocarboxy detergent-forming acid having 18 carbon atoms; '1 represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon radicals, and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than 8 carbon atoms is a substituent of a hydroxy hydrogen atom of an alcohol radical, lm

represents the. numeral 1, 2 or 3; m represents the numeral 0,, 1 2 or 3; and m" represents the numerals 0 to 2; and 2 represents the numerals 7. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler comprising a polar acidic member of the class consisting of monomers, sub-resinous esteriflcation polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heatrearranged derivatives of the monomers and aforementioned polymers, separately and Jointly, and of the following formula:

(cimopoocncooz ClHtOr-[( I )o' ]r (c,mo).'oocacoon,l. in which R is a carboxyl-free radical of a dibasic carboxy acid having not. over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a (nncoomrme NUS-"radical (011.0514). in which R'.O0O represents the acyloxy radical of a higher fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms; T represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon radicals, and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than 8 carbon atoms is 'a substituent of a hydroxy'hydrogen atom of an alcohol radical, m represents the numeral 1, 2 or 3; 111. represents the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m" represents the numeral 1, 2 or a 3, with the proviso that m+m'+m"=3; Z is an numeral 1, 2 or '3, with the proviso that m+1n'+1n"'=3: Z is an acidic hydrogen atom equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; n represents the numerals 3 tom; :2: represents the numerals 0 tc.2; 11 represents the acidic hydrogen atom equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; 11' represents the numerals 3 to 10; :t' represents the numerals 0 to 2; 11 represents the numerals 0 to 2; and 2 represents the numerals 1 to 3.

8. A process for breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler comprising a polar acidic member of the class consisting of monomers, sub-resinous estei'iflcation polymers, and cogeneric sub-resinous heat-rearranged derivatives of the monomers and aforementioned polymers, separately and jointly, and of the following formula:

' (Damn-0001100021,

CiH|0:-[( aH4 )v-'H]1 [(C|H40).'O0CRC00R1]. in which Risa carboxyl-free radical of a dibasic carboxy acid having not over 6 carbon atoms; R1 represents a (nncooeino- N(T) e." radical (OILCrHc) it in which RLCOO represents a ricinoleyl radical; T represents a member of the class consisting of f hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon radicals, and acylated radicals in which the acyl radical of a monobasic carboxy acid having less than 8 carbon atoms is a substituent of a hydroxy hydrogen atom of an alcohol radical, 1n represents the numeral l, 2 or 3; m represents the numeral 0, l, 2 or 3; and m" represents the numeral 1, 2, or 3, with the proviso that m+7n'+m"=3; Z is an acidic hydrogen atom equivalent including the acidic hydrogen atom itself; 11 represents the numerals 3 to 10; :1: represents the numerals 0 to '2; 1; represents the numerals 0 to 2; and, a represents the numeralsl to 3.

MELVIN DE GROO'I'E.

BERN'I-IARD KEISER. 

